In all seriousness though, this was a wonderful film, in every respect. Obviously, the animation was superb - it's Pixar, what do you expect? - but there truly wasn't a single bad part of this film.

True, it isn't quite as ambitious as the opening might suggest (although it's still pretty daring, in scenes if not in overall scope), and the character arc is a little formulaic, but Pixar have never told revolutionary stories. They've used unusual and inventive worlds and characters, but the stories have always been classic, simple ones. Follow your dreams, learn to love your family, accept who you are, etc etc. They just tell these stories using toys, or robots without vocal cords, or rats. Here, they're telling a story about grief and moving on - through the medium of a man with a floating house attached to his back. And while, as I said, it ultimately isn't as ambitious as it first appears, it did have me laughing out loud, and moved nearly to tears.

What more can I say? I'm rapidly running out of ways to say that Pixar are superb. Just go and see it. You won't regret it.

Not too sure about all these good comments. Animations should be fun. To start the movie in such a sad way - wife and kids (8 & 9) crying, extracts the humour from the movie immediately. Some very funny parts but constantly returning to nostalgic memories by Mr Muntz makes the story far too emotional and makes it difficult to laugh all the way through the movie. Very likable characters but I think the story could have been adapted in such a way were there would less tears, eg the older Mr and Mrs Muntz taking the trip they have promised themselves for many years and the young kid hitches a ride with them. Wouldn't rave about this one - Sorry

I respect the fact that you disliked the film, but you have suggested some very strange amendments. Do you not realise that the entire point of the film was the fact that Carl and Ellie not travelling was the point of the whole film? And whats wrong with a film being an emotional experience? Walt Disney always said that there should be a tear for every laugh, and this is visible in all of the earliest (and best) Disney flicks. This is no different to Bambi, or even E.T. Its good for children to understand mortality. I dont understand why you feel that you need to "laugh all the way through the movie". Is this protocol for every film you see?

Spot on mate. What is brilliant about Pixar is that all their films whether feature length or short (except Cars, I have an issue with that one) evoke the very best in early Disney, which is as you & Walt said, that there should always be a tear for every laugh. Something that is completely lost on the other American animation studios who continuously plonder out soulless dirges like Kung Fu Panda, Monsters V Aliens etc.

But getting back to the main topic of discussion, I saw Up tonight and I loved it as well. I know it's all about writers opinions and such like but how this has the same rating as Terminator Salvation and one star less than Benjamin Button truly bemuses me. I have to echo everyone else here in saying that the opening 10 minutes is by far the best sequence I've seen in a film this year, and contains one of the greatest, quietly affecting montages that I've ever seen.

In a world where so many studios idea of a solid kids film simply involves signing up Hollywood A listers to perform the roles of talking animals/aliens etc coupled with throwaway pop culture gags. Thank goodness Pixar soldier on with the classic principles of what has made and what makes truly great animation. Timeless storytelling with unmatched warmth and depth to its characters.

I have to echo everyone else here in saying that the opening 10 minutes is by far the best sequence I've seen in a film this year, and contains one of the greatest, quietly affecting montages that I've ever seen.

I totally agree. I loved this film and found it very moving and yes I'm not ashamed to say that I cried but it was ok, nobody saw me as I was in the dark wearing my 3D glasses!

Adored it. Full of the innovation, poignancy, adventure and sheer joy we've almost come to take for granted from Pixar. It's been said to death but the opening montage was utterly sublime. However, although it was the most memorable highlight, dwelling on it discredits the absolute splendidness of the following 90 minutes.

Saw it last night and afterwards my son asked what rating Empire gave it. I told him 4 and he asked "why not 5?". I then realised I did not know. Having read the review again, the only reason I can find for marking it down is that it's not "the film of the decade". That's a bit harsh! I'll admit to being a Pixar fanboy but that doesn't grant classic status to each one of their films; however in this case I think you got it wrong and your own review is the evidence to back it up (or did the "star printer" run out of red toner?). Maybe you could take that generous one star you gave to "the invention of lying" and transfer it?

Saw it last night and afterwards my son asked what rating Empire gave it. I told him 4 and he asked "why not 5?". I then realised I did not know. Having read the review again, the only reason I can find for marking it down is that it's not "the film of the decade". That's a bit harsh! I'll admit to being a Pixar fanboy but that doesn't grant classic status to each one of their films; however in this case I think you got it wrong and your own review is the evidence to back it up (or did the "star printer" run out of red toner?). Maybe you could take that generous one star you gave to "the invention of lying" and transfer it?

Im pleased that your son enjoyed it, it backs up the idea that kids did get it!

Can't add anything new really apart from to say I loved it too. I've seen it in 2D and 3D now and can honestly say the 3D doesn't make it better in any way. If anything, it hinders the film. I find those glasses a bit clumsy over my normal glasses and keep adjusting them just takes me out of the movie. Sad that 2D versions were only granted 2 showings a week at my local fleapit.

But back to Up. It's sublime. Maybe my favourite film of the year (so far).

Absolute shite compared to Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars - Pixar's genius hat-trick. Pixar's downward trend started with Rat, continued with Wall-E, and now this, the worst of the lot. These 3 films are sentimental middle of the road pap disguised as quality. Can this type of movie now find a formula other than "quiet" character matched with irritating balls clenchingly "loud" character?

Cars = genius? The fuck? Of all the films you described, that is the one most guilty of being "sentimental middle of the road pap disguised as quality".

And how someone can hate Russell is beyond me.

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quote:

ORIGINAL: Rinc She's supposed to be 13! I'd want her to be very attractive though

Wow what a fantastic film. But I wouldn't give it the 5 stars so many of you are arguing for. Why? Because I think it came off as restrained. Masterful, but restrained none-the-less.

Looking back, I don't remember being 'wowed' much. A couple of moments, when the house takes off for the first time, and the early part of Carl's journey, were borderline spectacular but never seemed to go all the way. I felt restricted for some reason, like there was a much bigger aspect to the story that I was missing.

The opening sequence everyone is bragging about didn't really impress me as much as I thought it would. Perhaps because it had been hyped up too much. I couldn't avoid reading about it - how it was one of the greatest montage sequences of all time. Bollocks to that. It was great but it really wasn't a masterpiece. Just a very well condensed piece of storytelling. If you ask me, the opening montage of 'Watchmen' was better because it felt more original and more bold. This was textbook (but brilliant textbook).

The pacing of the story was pretty much faultless. They really got it together this time after Wall-E's disappointing 2nd half. This was engaging all the way through. I still can't believe some people are claiming this is the film of the decade. That's nonsense. It was great, but not THAT great. (Coraline is still the animated film of the year).

One thing I will say, they FINALLY got the 3D right. The camera didn't move as much as previous 3D efforts. They have learnt to keep things as still as possible, allowing you to relish the 3D space. AT LAST!!!! (still an unecessary gimmick though)

Overall, I was moved, I laughed, I ALMOST cried (!). Definitely one of my favourite Pixar movies but still fell short of their absolute masterpiece (in my opinion) Toy Story 2.

Best film I've seen all year bar none, it really has been a bit of a bad year for movies (odd year curse), this just made me feel warm and fuzzy and as a red blooded 27 year old male making me cry in a kids movie takes a lot. Up is fantastic, it ain't a kids movie (for the most part) Dug is a genius character of comedy and pathos and Karl is a perfect action hero (old is the new young). Out of 5 I'd give it a 6.

Might I add in my eyes Pixar has done no wrong EVER!! so take my review as you will, I know a lot of you don't like Cars much (granted it's not there best, but it is still head and shoulders above every other animated film that comes out these days).

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You know the thing about Chaos? It's fair

I'm just a dog chasing cars, I wouldn't know what to do with one if I caught it

Absolute shite compared to Finding Nemo, The Incredibles, Cars - Pixar's genius hat-trick. Pixar's downward trend started with Rat, continued with Wall-E, and now this, the worst of the lot. These 3 films are sentimental middle of the road pap disguised as quality. Can this type of movie now find a formula other than "quiet" character matched with irritating balls clenchingly "loud" character?

I love Finding Nemo, but if you are using this reason to criticise Up then surely it can be applied to Finding Nemo as well.

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"When Bruce Willis was dead at the end of The Sixth Sense I jizzed in my pants"

"I can't take him to the SPCA. They told me never to come back after I tried to give them a bunch of rats that my rat trap caught but didn't kill."

any muppoid that says this is the best movie of 2009, when this year includes Watchmen, Let The Right One In, In The Loop, Moon, and District 9 can come and meet me in Hyde Park to get their head mashed up with my 3 digit nunchukas.

Better than In the Loop and Watchmen.... maybe not better than the rest.... still up there though and whilst not as good as Wall-E, TS1 TS2 and The Incredibles, it still stands firmly alongside Nemo, Monsters, Bugs Life, and Ratatouille as quality Pixar... far better than Cars though

I would disagree because even know I laughed so much and Armando Ianucci's a comedy genius, Up still presents that feeling of unique cinematic joy & emotion that's becoming more and more rare these days.

But definitely the best two films for me this year, closely followed by Anvil!

Up would probably scrape in at number 5 on my list of favourite Pixar films. It's good, but I don't think its the five-star masterpiece many on here do. Visually its stunning but thats pretty much a given for Pixar films, and I found both Russell and Kevin to be quite irritating characters at times. 4 Stars is probably about right.

I'd also give up 4/5. More of a 4 and a half, but it wasn't a masterpiece. First half was, but it degenerated into normal kiddie fare thereafter; rather like Wall•E, but Wall•E handled it's first half better.

any muppoid that says this is the best movie of 2009, when this year includes Watchmen, Let The Right One In, In The Loop, Moon, and District 9 can come and meet me in Hyde Park to get their head mashed up with my 3 digit nunchukas.

Watchmen? Really?

And isn't it a scientific fact that 35 Shots of Rum is the best film of 2009?